Emergency lighting system with low, medium and high voltage outputs



April 9, 1968 w ENGLE 3,377,505

EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH LOW, MEDIUM 1 AND HIGH VOLTAGEOUTPUTS Original Filed April 24, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM H. ENGLE Elm/x W ATTORNEY.

3,377,505 MEDIUM Apn] 9, 1968 r, w. H. ENGLE EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH LOW,

AND HIGH VOLTAGE OUTPUTS 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed April 24,

IN VE NTOR WILLIAM H. ENGLE ATTORNEY Unit States Patent 3,377,505 EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH LOW, MEDIUM AND HIGH VOLTAGE OUTPUTS William H. Engle, 98 Harrow Road, Levittown, Pa. 19056 Continuation of application Ser. No. 189,723, Apr. 24, 1962. This application Apr. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 541,214 2 Claims. (Cl. 315-86) This is a continuation of my co-pending application Ser. No. 189,728, filed Apr. 24, 1962, for an Emergency Lighting Circuit.

This invention relates generally to the type of automatic changeover apparatus designed to cause the shift of a load from one source to another and more particularly to an emergency lighting circuit fed from either a conventional source of alternating current or from a direct current source capable of being recharged.

The instant invention is intended primarily for use in fall out shelters and other areas to provide a convenient supply of suitable current to operate minimum lighting and power loads for survival purposes in times of emergency. There has been considerable recent activity in the field of design and installation of fall out shelters in view of the current tense international situation. Provisions for adequate and satisfactory electric current supply must be included in the basic plan of any successful fall out shelter to provide for electrical needs with utmost dependability. While under normal conditions, the conventional municipal generating stations provide an uninterrupted supply of electrical current, such a source cannot be trusted under war-time emergency conditions and so individual electrical generating means must be provided.

Devices presently available for use in fall out shelter construction consist generally of well known motorgenerator sets utilizing internal combustion engines employing either liquid or gaseous fuels such as gasoline or propane. Such systems may be more or less elaborate depending on size and type of auxiliary equipment included and all have the common shortcoming of being relatively expensive in comparison to the total cost of shelter construction. The motor-generator systems are further deficient in that they require the storage of a quantity of gasoline or propane for operating purposes, and it may be impossible to replenish fuel supplies in an emergency, thereby definitely limiting the period of operation. Further, both gasoline and propane are well known for their hazardous qualities in that both are highly flammable and can readily form explosive compounds when mixed with air. It is indeed within the realm of possibility that the storage of a hydrocarbon fuel for operation of an internal combustion motor in the vicinity of a fall out shelter could materially increase the danger to those seeking protection within the shelter.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an alternating current source that is always readily available for operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electric current generating system free from the storage or use of potentially dangerous materials.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a unique, manually operated, battery charging arrangement.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electric circuit operating at a plurality of potentials.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electric circuit capable of ordinary operation with house current and emergency operation using a battery as a current source.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electric circuit capable of automatically generating alternating current from a direct current source upon failure of normal current supply.

It is a further object of this invention to provide combined battery charging and exercising facilities.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a pedal operated alternator capable of providing current for lights, motors, etc. and at the same time offering a convenient exercise device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device that is simple in operation, rugged in construction and relatively inexpensive in manufacture.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an electrical circuit showing respective arrangement of components.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with partial schematic circuit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of my invention.

Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of my invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

In FIG. 1, I show a stationary exercise machine 10 driving a generator 11 which feeds a twelve volt, wet cell battery 12 through a battery control switch 13. The battery 12 is wired into control panel 14 and is connected into the circuit as hereinafter described. The control panel 14 is wired to a conventional source of volt alternating current 15 and supplies the 110 volt alternating current circuit 18 to fluorescent lighting fixtures 16, '17 and the 600 volt alternating current circuit 19 to energize a plurality of electroluminescent panels 20.

The stationary exercise machine 10 drives the generator 11 either through a gear 26 and chain 27 arrange ment as shown in FIG. 1 or by direct 'drive arrangement 28 as shown in FIG. 2.

In the interest of keeping current demand to a minimum throughout the entire circuit, I use a 110' volt A.C. fluorescent fixture 16 in the kitchen having a rating of approximately 15 watts and a 110 volt A.C. fluorescent fixture 17 in the bathroom having a rating of approximately 7 watts. In the living room, I use a plurality of electroluminescent panels 20 similar to Westinghouse Electric Corporation Rayescent panels, each panel drawing only one-tenth of a milliampere of current at 600 volt A.C. potential. It is thus seen that 8 panels will require eight-tenths ma., 10 panels one ma., etc., depending upon the number of panels employed. In no case however, will there ever be a great current demand from the plurality of panels 20.

In FIG. 3, I show a schematic circuit arrangement indicating in detail the location and arrangement of operating switches, holding coils, circuits and major operating components. The portion of the circuit operating only when conventional 110 volt alternating current is available in the usual manner is generally designated as A; the internal wiring arrangement of control panel 14 is generally designated as B; and the portion of the circuit operating either from the conventional 110 volt alternating current source during normal operation or from the 12 volt direct current source during emergency periods is generally designated as C.

Circuit portion A includes an incoming two wire, 110 volt alternating current source 15 which is fused in the usual manner at 29 to protect the entire operating circuit 31. The high current capacity circuit 30 is tapped from operating circuit 31 at junctions 32, 33 in the usual way to supply the incandescent fixtures 34, 35 and duplex wall receptacles 36, 37 through protecting a fuse 38. As can readily be appreciated, the circuit 30' and connected lighting fixtures and wall receptacles are shown in representative form only and additional circuits or additional fixtures may be similarly added and still be within the scope of my invention. So long as there is a normal current supply from the municipal generating stations, the high current circuit will always be available and may be used for such current demanding devices as irons, toasters, washing machines, and power tools.

The control panel portion B receives normal current supply at 110 volts alternating current from operating circuit 31 through an automatic throwover switch 39 which is maintained in its normally closed position40 by holding coil 41. Should the alternating current source 15 fail and thereby cause an interruption of current in the operating circuit 31, the holding coil 41 will become de-energized and the switch 39 will automatically shift to its open position 42. As soon as the operating circuit 31 fails, the emergency circuit 43 is maintained in its normally open position 45 by the holding coil 46. Upon failure of the operating circuit 31, the holding coil 46 will be de-energized and the switch 44 automatically turns to its closed position 47, thereby placing emergency circuit 43 into operation.

The emergency circuit 43 receives twelve volts, direct current from the battery 12 and is connected respectively at the positive terminal 48 and negative terminal 49 in the usual manner. The twelve volt direct current supply from the battery 12 passes through the switch 44 (once it is closed by failure of the current source 15) and is modified to twelve volt alternating current in any well known manner such as by a vibrator 50. A first transformer 51 which is wired for 12 volt to 110 volt transformation supplies 110 volt alternating current to terminals 52, 53 thereby energizing circuit 18 which operates the fluorescent lighting fixtures 16, 17 and the duplex wall receptacles 54, 55. It should be noted that terminals 52, 53 provide common connection between the operating circuit 31 and the emergency circuit 43 thereby providing an uninterrupted current supply for circuit 18. A failure of circuit 31 will immediately and automatically cause circuit 43 to come on the line and take up the load.

The high voltage circuit 19 is also supplied from common terminals 52, 53 and is similarly always energized either by the operating circuit 31 or the emergency cirw cuit 43. A step-up transformer 56 which is wound for 110 volt-600 volt operation supplies the high voltage required for operation of the electroluminescent panels 20 which are conected in parallel across circuit 19 and protected from possible current surges by the fuse 57.

In designing my fall out shelter, I have found it desirable to simulate the daylight and evening by means of electroluminescent panels 20 arranged to imitate conventional windows 65. A clock timer 58 with integral rheostat 59 is wired in series with the circuit 19 through a two position, manual switch 60. When the switch 60 is thrown to the operating position 61, the clock timer and rheostat 59 control the circuit 19. If desired the clock timer and rheostat can readily be cut out of the circuit by moving the switch 60 to its by-pass position 62. I propose to set the clock timer and rheostat to maintain the following sequence of operation. At 6 oclock am, the clock timer will start the cycle and 110 volt current will be supplied to circuit 19. From 6 oclock to 7 oclock, the rheostat will gradually increase the voltage to the circuit to the maximum of 600 volts. The electroluminescent panels will then gradually pass from complete darkness to complete designed luminescence in one hour thereby simulating the dawn. The 600 volt current will be supplied for ten hours to simulate the daylight and then the rheostat can again be brought into operation to decrease the voltage from 600 volts to 110 volts in a period of one hour, at which time the clock timer would close the circuit until 6 oclock am. the next day for a repetition of the process, thus simulating the sunset and evening hours.

A conventional trickle charger 63 with an automatic cut-out to prevent battery overcharge is wired across the operating circuit 31 to the switch 44 which is maintained in position to direct charging current to the positive and negative terminals 48,49 of battery 12 by means of a holding coil 46. The current indicator 64 is connected across battery terminals 48,49 and gives a continuous, accurate reading of the condition of battery 12. The indicater is so positioned in the circuit as to be operative under either normal or emergency conditions.

The generator 11 is rotated by the exercise machine 10, is wired to the positive and negative terminals 48, 49 of battery and is grounded at 66. The manual switch 13 may be conveniently moved to its open position 67 or its closed position 68 as desired by the operator. It is my intention to keep the switch 13 in normally open position 67 during the period when operating circuit 31 supplies current to the system. Under these circumstances, the battery 12 is maintained fully charged charger 63 and the exercise machine 10 may be used purely for recreational and exercise purposes. When the emergency circuit 43 supplies current to the system, the switch 13 is normally in its closed position 68 so that when battery recharging is required as disclosed by indicator 64 the generator 11 may be rotated to supply the required recharging current. Should the battery become fully charged and further use of the exercise machine is desired, the switch 13 may be moved to its open position 67 to prevent possible battery damage and at the same time provide the necessary exercise facilities.

Although I have described my invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. 'In a lighting circuit incorporating a manually oper' ated generator charging a .wet cell storage battery, the combination of a vibrator receiving low voltage, direct current from said storage battery, said vibrator modifying said direct current to low voltage alternating current; a first transformer having low voltage and medium voltage windings, said transformer receiving said low voltage alternating current from said vibrator and increasing the voltage of said current to medium voltage; a medium potential lighting circuit connected to said medium voltage winding of said first transformer; a second transformer having a medium voltage winding and a high voltage winding, said medium voltage winding of said second transformer being connected to the medium voltage winding of said first transformer, said second transformer increasing the voltage of saidmedium voltage current to high voltage; a high potential circuit connected to said high voltage Winding of second transformer; an external source of medium voltage, alternating current connected into the circuit between the medium voltage winding of said first transformer and the medium voltage winding of said second transformer; an automatic, two position throwover switch connected into the circuit between said first and second transformers, said switch directing said external source of alternating current to the lower voltage winding of said second transformer, said switch at the same time removing said first transformer, and said battery from the circuit; and an automatic, two-position switch connecting said batttery to the circuit to feed said low voltage winding of said first transformer through said vibrator upon failure of said external source of alternating current.

2. In a lighting circuit, the combination of a manually operated electrical generator charging a wet cell battery,

by operation of trickle said battery having positive and negative terminals; a foot Operated, bicycle, exercising machine driving said generator; a vibrator receiving direct current from said positive and negative terminals, said vibrator modifying said direct current to alternating current; a first transformer having low voltage and medium voltage windings, said transformer receiving said alternating current from the vibrator and increasing the voltage of same; a medium potential lighting circuit connected to said medium voltage winding; a second transformer having a medium voltage and a high voltage winding, said second transformer being connected to said medium voltage winding of said first transformer; a high potential lighting circuit connected to said high voltage winding of the said second transformer; an internal source of alternating current joined to the circuit between medium voltage winding of first transformer and medium voltage winding of second transformer; a medium voltage lighting circuit fed by said external source of alternating current; an automatic, two position throwover switch connected between said transformer and said switch introducing said external source of alternating current to low voltage winding of said second transformer and removing said battery and said first transformer from the circuit; whereby battery current may be fed to said low voltage winding of said first transformer through said vibrator when said external current source fails and whereby said battery may be manually recharged under emergency conditions. I

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,964,846 7/1934 Earnshaw 315-360 X 2,016,790 10/1935 Perlrnan 31586 X 2,106,968 2/1938 Dannhiester 315-86 X 2,550,700 5/1951 Lancor et al. 31075.2 2,576,934 12/1951 Greir 315-241 2,992,357 7/ 1961 Van Den Houten et a1.

313108 3,029,362 4/1962 Roberts 315-86 3,240,947 3/1966 Mas 331113 X JAMES W. LAWRENCE, Primary Examiner. C. R. CAMPBELL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A LIGHTING CIRCUIT INCORPORATING A MANUALLY OPERATED GENERATOR CHARGING A WET CELL STORAGE BATTERY, THE COMBINATION OF A VIBRATOR RECEIVING LOW VOLTAGE, DIRECT CURRENT FROM SAID STORAGE BATTERY, SAID VIBRATOR MODIFYING SAID DIRECT CURRENT TO LOW VOLTAGE ALTERNATING CURRENT; A FIRST TRANSFORMER HAVING LOW VOLTAGE AND MEDIUM VOLTAGE WINDINGS, SAID TRANSFORMER RECEIVING SAID LOW VOLTAGE ALTERNATING CURRENT FROM SAID VIBRATOR AND INCREASING THE VOLTAGE OF SAID CURRENT TO MEDIUM VOLTAGE; A MEDIUM POTENTIAL LIGHTING CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID MEDIUM VOLTAGE WINDING OF SAID FIRST TRANSFORMER; A SECOND TRANSFORMER HAVING A MEDIUM VOLTAGE WINDING AND A HIGH VOLTAGE WINDING, SAID MEDIUM VOLTAGE WINDING OF SAID SECOND TRANSFORMER BEING CONNECTED TO THE MEDIUM VOLTAGE WINDING OF SAID FIRST TRANSFORMER, SAID SECOND TRANSFORMER INCREASING THE VOLTAGE OF SAID MEDIUM VOLTAGE CURRENT TO HIGH VOLTAGE; A HIGH POTENTIAL CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID HIGH VOLTAGE WINDING OF SECOND TRANSFORMER, AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF MEDIUM VOLTAGE, ALTERNATING CURRENT CONNECTED INTO THE CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE MEDIUM VOLTAGE WINDING OF SAID FIRST TRANSFORMER AND THE MEDIUM VOLTAGE WINDING OF SAID SECOND TRANSFORMER; AN AUTOMATIC, TWO POSITION THROWOVER SWITCH CONNECTED INTO THE CIRCUIT BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND TRANSFORMERS, SAID SWITCH DIRECTING SAID EXTERNAL SOURCE OF ALTERNATING CURRENT TO THE LOWER VOLTAGE WINDING OF SAID SECOND TRANSFORMER, SAID SWITCH AT THE SAMD TIME REMOVING SAID FIRST TRANSFORMER AND SAID BATTERY FROM THE CIRCUIT; AND AN AUTOMATIC, TWO-POSITION SWITCH CONNECTING SAID BATTERY TO THE CIRCUIT TO FEED SAID LOW VOLTAGE WINDING OF SAID FIRST TRANSFORMER THROUGH SAID VIBRATOR UPON FAILURE OF SAID EXTERNAL SOURCE OF ALTERNATING CURRENT. 